The Federal Wind Energy Offshore Association (BWO) in Germany has urged the government to prioritize the needs of the energy transition in its new ports strategy. This plea comes after the government unveiled its port strategy, which lacked clear plans for financing, despite containing measures to enhance the competitiveness of German ports.
While acknowledging the positive aspects of the strategy, such as streamlined land provision and approval procedures, as well as initiatives for skilled worker training, BWO emphasized that the government must do more to fulfill its commitment to making ports sustainable hubs for the energy transition.
BWO highlighted the critical role of the port of Cuxhaven, where approximately 80% of all rotor blades installed in Germany, both for onshore and offshore turbines, are processed. Despite having a planning approval decision for area expansion, capacity constraints remain a concern.
In a joint statement with other industry stakeholders, including the Federal Wind Energy Association (BWE) and the Renewable Energy Cluster Hamburg, BWO emphasized the urgent need for the government to secure financing for the expansion of port capacities. They emphasized that Cuxhaven, with its existing planning approval decision, is crucial for quickly expanding the necessary capacities.
The associations called on the German government to promptly establish a coherent and stable financing framework for the port strategy, aligning with the goals set in the coalition agreement and ensuring the uninterrupted progress of the energy transition.
